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At least 973 records · Page 54

Real-Time Global Nonlinear Aerodynamic Modeling for Learn-To-Fly

Flight testing and modeling techniques were developed to accurately identify global nonlinear aerodynamic models for aircraft in real time. The techniques were developed and demonstrated during flight testing of a remotely-piloted subscale propeller-driven fixed-wing aircraft using flight test maneuvers designed to simulate a Learn-To-Fly scenario. Prediction testing was used to evaluate the quality of the global models identified in real time. The real-time global nonlinear aerodynamic modeling algorithm will be integrated and further tested with learning adaptive control and guidance for NASA Learn-To-Fly concept flight demonstrations.

Morelli, Eugene A.

Preliminary Work for Modeling the Propellers of an Aircraft as a Noise Source in an Acoustic Boundary Element Analysis

An algorithm for generating appropriate velocity boundary conditions for an acoustic boundary element analysis from the kinematics of an operating propeller is presented. It constitutes the initial phase of Integrating sophisticated rotorcraft models into a conventional boundary element analysis. Currently, the pressure field is computed by a linear approximation. An initial validation of the developed process was performed by comparing numerical results to test data for the external acoustic pressure on the surface of a tilt-rotor aircraft for one flight condition.

Vlahopoulos, Nickolas

Maximum likelihood identification of aircraft parameters with unsteady aerodynamic modelling

A simplified aerodynamic force model based on the physical principle of Prandtl's lifting line theory and trailing vortex concept has been developed to account for unsteady aerodynamic effects in aircraft dynamics. Longitudinal equations of motion have been modified to include these effects. The presence of convolution integrals in the modified equations of motion led to a frequency domain analysis utilizing Fourier transforms. This reduces the integro-differential equations to relatively simple algebraic equations, thereby reducing computation time significantly. A parameter extraction program based on the maximum likelihood estimation technique is developed in the frequency domain. The extraction algorithm contains a new scheme for obtaining sensitivity functions by using numerical differentiation. The paper concludes with examples using computer generated and real flight data

Keskar, D. A.

Generalized three-dimensional simulation of ferruled coupled-cavity traveling-wave-tube dispersion and impedance characteristics

The frequency-phase dispersion and Pierce on-axis interaction impedance of a ferruled, coupled-cavity, traveling-wave tube (TWT), slow-wave circuit were calculated using the three-dimensional simulation code Micro-SOS. The utilization of the code to reduce costly and time-consuming experimental cold tests is demonstrated by the accuracy achieved in calculating these parameters. A generalized input file was developed so that ferruled coupled-cavity TWT slow-wave circuits of arbitrary dimensions could be easily modeled. The practicality of the generalized input file was tested by applying it to the ferruled coupled-cavity slow-wave circuit of the Hughes Aircraft Company model 961HA TWT and by comparing the results with experimental results.

Maruschek, Joseph W.

Summary of Ice Shape Geometric Fidelity Studies on an Iced Swept Wing

Understanding the aerodynamic impact of swept-wing ice accretions is a crucial component of the design of modern aircraft. Computer-simulation tools are commonly used to approximate ice shapes, so the necessary level of detail or fidelity of those simulated ice shapes must be understood relative to high-fidelity representations of the ice. Previous tests were performed in the NASA Icing Research Tunnel to acquire high-fidelity ice shapes. Some of those ice shapes are based on aircraft certification requirements. From this database, full-span artificial ice shapes were designed and manufactured for both an 8.9%-scale and 13.3%-scale semispan wing model of the CRM65 which has been established as the full-scale baseline for this swept-wing project. These models were tested in the Walter H. Beech wind tunnel at Wichita State University and at the ONERA (Office national d'etudes et de recherches aerospatiales) F1 facility, respectively. The data collected in the Wichita State University wind tunnel provided a low-Reynolds number baseline study while the pressurized F1 facility produced data over a wide range of Reynolds and Mach numbers with the highest Reynolds number studied being approximately Re = 11.9 by 10 (sup 6). Three different fidelity representations were created based on three different icing conditions. Lower-fidelity ice shapes were created by lofting a smooth ice shape between cross-section cuts of the high-fidelity ice shape. Grit roughness was attached to this smooth ice shape as another fidelity variant. The data indicates that the geometric fidelity of the ice shapes resulted in significant differences in lift and drag. These results were similar at both facilities over the wide range of test conditions utilized.

Aerodynamics

Towards Simulating Non-Axisymmetric Influences on Aircraft Plumes for Signature Prediction

A methodology for efficiently including three-dimensional effects on aircraft plume signature is presented. First, exploratory work on the use of passive mixing enhancement devices, namely chevrons and tabs, in IR signature reduction for external turbofan plumes is demonstrated numerically and experimentally. Such small attachments, when properly designed, cause an otherwise axisymmetric plume to have significant 3D structures, affecting signature prediction. Second, an approach for including non-axisymmetric and installation effects in plume signature prediction is discussed using unstructured methodology. Unstructured flow solvers, using advanced turbulence modeling and plume thermochemistry, facilitate the modeling of aircraft effects on plume structure that previously have been neglected due to gridding complexities. The capabilities of the CRUNCH unstructured Navier-Stokes solver for plume modeling is demonstrated for a passively mixed turbofan nozzle, a generic fighter nozzle, and a complete aircraft.

Kenzakowski, D. C.

A simple dynamic engine model for use in a real-time aircraft simulation with thrust vectoring

A simple dynamic engine model was developed at the NASA Ames Research Center, Dryden Flight Research Facility, for use in thrust vectoring control law development and real-time aircraft simulation. The simple dynamic engine model of the F404-GE-400 engine (General Electric, Lynn, Massachusetts) operates within the aircraft simulator. It was developed using tabular data generated from a complete nonlinear dynamic engine model supplied by the manufacturer. Engine dynamics were simulated using a throttle rate limiter and low-pass filter. Included is a description of a method to account for axial thrust loss resulting from thrust vectoring. In addition, the development of the simple dynamic engine model and its incorporation into the F-18 high alpha research vehicle (HARV) thrust vectoring simulation. The simple dynamic engine model was evaluated at Mach 0.2, 35,000 ft altitude and at Mach 0.7, 35,000 ft altitude. The simple dynamic engine model is within 3 percent of the steady state response, and within 25 percent of the transient response of the complete nonlinear dynamic engine model.

Johnson, Steven A.

Analysis of vibrations of the National Transonic Facility model support system using a 3-D aeroelastic code

Vibrations of the National Transonic Facility model support system were analyzed using Computational Aeroelasticity Program-Transonic Small Disturbance, a three-dimensional transonic small disturbance code designed for aeroelastic analysis of complete aircraft. The model support system was represented as a tunnel-spanning flexible wing whose structural properties were obtained from measured responses. Aeroelastic transients were calculated and analyzed to obtain modal stability characteristics. The results show that there is tendency to exhibit a hump mode instability in one of the modes, and that there are other weakly damped or unstable modes. Most of the motion is in the aft section of the model support system. The close proximity of the solid wind-tunnel diffuser side walls to the model support system is shown to have adverse effects on its aeroelastic stability characteristics. When the effects of the wind-tunnel walls are modeled, the analyses indicate the presence of wind-tunnel resonance modes which are not present when free-air boundary conditions are used.

Whitlow, Woodrow, Jr.

An economic model for evaluating high-speed aircraft designs

A Class 1 method for determining whether further development of a new aircraft design is desirable from all viewpoints is presented. For the manufacturer the model gives an estimate of the total cost of research and development from the preliminary design to the first production aircraft. Using Wright's law of production, one can derive the average cost per aircraft produced for a given break-even number. The model will also provide the airline with a good estimate of the direct and indirect operating costs. From the viewpoint of the passenger, the model proposes a tradeoff between ticket price and cruise speed. Finally all of these viewpoints are combined in a Comparative Aircraft Seat-kilometer Economic Index.

Vandervelden, Alexander J. M.

Pilot model hypothesis testing

The aircraft control time history predicted by the optimal control pilot model and actual pilot tracking data obtained from NASA Langley's differential maneuvering simulator (DMS) are analyzed. The analysis is performed using a hypothesis testing scheme modified to allow for changes in the true hypothesis. A finite number of pilot models, each with different hypothesized internal model representations of the aircraft dynamics, are constructed. The hypothesis testing scheme determines the relative probability that each pilot model best matches the DMS data. By observing the changes in probabilities, it is possible to determine when the pilot changes control strategy and which hypothesized pilot model best represent's the pilot's control behavior.

Broussard, J. R.

Platform motion for fighter simulations

The reported investigation is concerned with aspects of 'realistic' cue generation and evaluation. 'Realistic' cues are defined to mean cues that are representative of an aircraft, that are of sufficient magnitude to be sensed, that are in the proper direction arriving at the proper time, and yet that are within the presentation capabilities of the washout/synergistic platform system. Attention is given to the aircraft mathematical model, computer implementation, cockpit hardware, visual display, the motion system, vertical acceleration, longitudinal acceleration and pitch rate, and lateral acceleration and roll rate. The motion cues for fighter aircraft produced by Langley nonlinear adaptive washout/synergistic motion base system are found to be unacceptable in the roll axis representation. However, a method for producing potentially realistic roll cues is identified.

Parrish, R. V.

Input/output models for general aviation piston-prop aircraft fuel economy

A fuel efficient cruise performance model for general aviation piston engine airplane was tested. The following equations were made: (1) for the standard atmosphere; (2) airframe-propeller-atmosphere cruise performance; and (3) naturally aspirated engine cruise performance. Adjustments are made to the compact cruise performance model as follows: corrected quantities, corrected performance plots, algebraic equations, maximize R with or without constraints, and appears suitable for airborne microprocessor implementation. The following hardwares are recommended: ignition timing regulator, fuel-air mass ration controller, microprocessor, sensors and displays.

Sweet, L. M.

Two-D Representation of Three-D Modeling of Atmospheric Effects of Aircraft

Our principal accomplishments during the period of this research grant were as follows: (1) development of 2-D Transport Coefficients from a 3-D GCM; (2) comparison of various 2-D Treatments of Temperature; Asymmetries for Use in 2-D Models; (3) development and Testing of Convective Flux Formulation from a GCM for Use in a 2-D Model; and (4) investigation of Bromine Balance in the Upper Troposphere and Lower Stratosphere.

Source record

Estimation of nonlinear aerodynamic derivatives of a variable geometry fighter aircraft from flight data

This paper is concerned with the estimation of stability and control parameters of a high performance fighter aircraft from data obtained from high angle of attack flight. The estimation process utilizes a maximum likelihood algorithm derived for the case of a nonlinear aerodynamic force and moment model. The aircraft used was a high speed variable sweep heavy weight fighter with twin vertical tails. Comparisons of results from the nonlinear analysis are made with linear theory and wind tunnel results when available.

Ramachandran, S.

Investigation of aircraft landing in variable wind fields

A digital simulation study is reported of the effects of gusts and wind shear on the approach and landing of aircraft. The gusts and wind shear are primarily those associated with wind fields created by surface wind passing around bluff geometries characteristic of buildings. Also, flight through a simple model of a thunderstorm is investigated. A two-dimensional model of aircraft motion was represented by a set of nonlinear equations which accounted for both spatial and temporal variations of winds. The landings of aircraft with the characteristics of a DC-8 and a DHC-6 were digitally simulated under different wind conditions with fixed and automatic controls. The resulting deviations in touchdown points and the controls that are required to maintain the desired flight path are presented. The presence of large bluff objects, such as buildings in the flight path is shown to have considerable effect on aircraft landings.

Frost, W.

Development of a Full-Scale Finite Element Model of the Fokker F28 Fellowship Aircraft and Crash Simulation Predictions

In June 2019, a full-scale crash test of a Fokker F28 Fellowship aircraft was conducted as part of a joint National Aeronautics and Space Administration/Federal Aviation Administration (NASA/FAA) project to investigate the performance of transport aircraft under realistic crash conditions. The test objectives were to provide data for assessment of transport aircraft crashworthiness under realistic impact conditions and to generate test data for model validation. The test article was loaded with transport aircraft seats in a 3+2 configuration. A total of 24 instrumented ATDs were placed in the seats and restrained. The test article weighed 33,306-lb. (15,107.3-kg) and, during the crash test, impacted a 2-ft. (0.61-m) high soil bed at 65.3-ft/s (19.9-m/s) forward and 31.8-ft/s (9.7-m/s) vertical velocity. The full-scale aircraft crash test was simulated using the commercial nonlinear explicit transient dynamic finite element code, LS-DYNA. This paper will provide a description of the test article and the crash test conditions, document the F28 full-scale model development, and present test-analysis comparisons. The test-analysis comparisons include inertial properties, kinematic responses, structural acceleration responses, and structural deformation and failure.

Karen E Jackson